Indian embassy in US providing all help to family of slain engineer

Washington, (IANS) The Indian embassy in Washington said it is closely monitoring the tragic shooting incident in Kansas and providing all help and assistance to the family of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in an apparent hate crime.

In a statement, embassy spokesman Pratik Mathur said the Indian Consulate in Houston is in close contact with the family of Kuchibhotla. “In their hour of grief, we are providing all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Arrangements are being made to transport his mortal remains to India.”

He said that government officials had also met with the injured Indian — Alok Madasani — and are ensuring his well-being.

The Indian government has taken up the matter with the US authorities to express its deep concern and has asked for a speedy investigation.

The US Government while condemning the attack, has assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter, the statement said.

Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled “get out of my country”, “terrorist” before shooting them.

In a statement, US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, said the shooting incident appeared to be “an act of hatred”.

“We must address the tide of hate in our nation to prevent more of the attacks we have witnessed, including yesterday’s shooting in Kansas,” he said.

US Senator from Kansas and a member of the Republican Party Jerry Moran said he strongly condemns violence of any kind, “especially if it is motivated by prejudice and xenophobia”. Moran termed the shooting of Kuchibhotla a “senseless and terrible loss”.